{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bishop-calls-for-more-covid-19-relief-says-to-do-nothing-is-a-dereliction-of-duty", "BISHOP CALLS FOR MORE COVID-19 RELIEF\u2014SAYS TO DO NOTHING IS A DERELICTION OF DUTY", "2020-12-21", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.", "B000490", "bishop.house.gov", "bishop", "https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "COLUMBUS, GA \u2013 Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), Chairman of the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, released the following statement regarding the passage of H.R. 133, the emergency COVID-19 relief and the FY21 funding bill by the full U.S House of Representatives:\n\n\"Georgia is long overdue for more COVID-19 relief, which is why I supported this bill even though I think it does not provide sufficient direct payments, unemployment benefits, or funding for state, local, and tribal governments. In the House, we passed the Heroes Act in two different forms in hopes the Senate Majority Leader would understand the urgency of more aid for the American people. Unfortunately, he rejected our bills containing $1200 direct payments, $600 per week unemployment benefits, and $436 billion for state, local, and tribal governments\u2014and instead sought to protect the ultra-wealthy and hang working families out to dry.\n\n\"It is unacceptable and heartless. However insufficient I find this relief proposal; it is still better than nothing. If it had been up to the Senate Republicans, Georgians would have received nothing. People are struggling more now than at the beginning of this pandemic\u2014to do nothing is a dereliction of duty.\n\n\"In the House, we continued to fight for Americans everywhere who continue to struggle through this pandemic. We were able to negotiate $600 direct payments, $300 weekly unemployment payments, increased nutrition assistance, rental assistance, and an extension of the eviction moratorium. The bill replenishes the Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses and recognizes we will not be able to revive our economy until we get this virus under control. This bill will accelerate free vaccine distribution to as many Americans as soon as possible, as well as increase testing and tracing efforts so we can finally crush the virus.\n\n\"Though I am critical of the COVID-19 relief, I am very pleased with the FY 21 funding bills as a whole. We made many strong investments in the future of the American people, for the pandemic and beyond. I will continue to fight for more relief for our citizens, state and local governments, and small businesses as we move into the next Congress.\"\n\nThe COVID-19 section:\n\nProvides $600 direct payments per adult and child\n\nEnhanced $300 weekly unemployment benefits\n\nExtends the eviction moratorium and provides rental assistance\n\nAccelerates vaccine distribution and crushes the coronavirus\n\nIncreases SNAP and child nutrition benefits\n\nDelivers key tax benefits for struggling families\n\nStrong support for small businesses with replenished Paycheck Protection Program\n\nFunds education, childcare, and students\n\nDelivers and improves affordable broadband access\n\nSecures key funding streams for state, local, tribal, and territorial governments\n\nCreates good-paying jobs in clean energy and infrastructure to fight the climate crisis\n\nEnds surprise billing\n\nSupports the global fight against COVID\n\nThe FY21 Funding Bill:\n\nExpands broadband access for rural communities\n\nProvides pathways to better schools\n\nSupports servicemembers and military families\n\nHonors our responsibilities to veterans\n\nSupports hardworking taxpayers\n\nExpands access to housing\n\nTackles food insecurity\n\nKeeps our communities safe\n\nProtects our environment\n\nCombats climate change\n\nReverses harmful cuts to climate change programs\n\nFights for a more humane immigration approach\n\nCombats the gun violence epidemic\n\nBolsters international security and stability", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:42:23Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bishop-calls-for-more-covid-19-relief-says-to-do-nothing-is-a-dereliction-of-duty"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.6237767413258553, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}